Adventures of Healthcare in Kakamega

Thank you for all your prayers, support, emails and Facebook shares!

Monday was one crazy long day.  After getting the kids ready, strapping Eliana to me in the carrier (which was not comfortable on my chest), walking a ways, taking two motorcycle taxies (one for John and Anna and the other for me and Eliana), we got to the Dr's office only to be told he won't be in for 4 to 5 hours! That's Kakamega.  We took a taxi home so Anna could take her nap before needing to head out a second time.

Disappointed and tired on the way home after being told Dr was not in

Rainy season can get pretty intense here so by the time we were supposed to head back to the Dr's, motorcycle taxies were not an option.  God provided another way from a fellow missionary in the area who was able to take us in their vehicle, wait for us and bring us home.

Exhausted family selfies at the Dr's office the second time

What should have been a quick trip to the Dr's took the entire day; we got home about 8pm.  Then, again because of the rains, we arrived home to no electricity with two cranky and hungry babies ready for bed.  It was an exhausting day, but a good one because I did not need another procedure.

Before he examined me the Dr scared us that, depending on the state of the infection, he might have to re-open and re-drain the infection!  The idea of having yet another trip to the theater was scary.

But, thankfully, after examining me he said we did good to come at the first sign of infection and that we caught it early enough.  He said another round of antibiotics (this will make my fifth) and pain meds, to help with the pain of feeding Eliana, should do the trick.

We appreciate all the continued prayers for complete healing and provision for ongoing medical expenses and a vehicle. 

Sincerely,

The Lwoyelo Family

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I could have died! Thank you!!

Thank you so very much to everyone who gave financial gifts and have kept me and our family in prayers during this difficult time.  Our gratitude is beyond words.  May God richly bless each of you for your generosity, your love and kindness in giving. Please take a moment to watch a short video we put together to say thank you.  (See below)

After being cleared to travel by the doctor we arrived safely home in Kakamega on the 7^th.  I cannot begin to describe how good it feels to be home, healthy and all together as a family again

Your generous gifts have gone a long way in helping with medical bills.  The way it works here in Kenya is I would not have been allowed to leave the hospital until we paid our bill.  Thank you. Please continue to stand with us in prayer as we face ongoing follow up medical bills and expenses.    

 

This whole experience was a wakeup call to us of just how urgent a vehicle is.  This emergency could have been avoided had we had a vehicle to access better medical care sooner.  I am just thankful that it was me and not one of our babies. 

The reality of life in Kakamega is that the medical care here is extremely limited especially in the case of any emergency.  The closest emergency facility is a two hour drive away in Kisumu and this is still limited care.  Depending on the emergency, a transfer to Nairobi would be required.  Without a vehicle we rely on public transportation or taxi.  With two young children the public option is not safe and the taxi option is quite expensive.  If an emergency occurred at night the chances of us getting a taxi are almost zero which would leave us frantically calling other missionaries in the area or praying that morning would come. 

I know that God was in control the entire time, but after being told that I had the beginning of sepsis, flying to Nairobi and being taken to emergency surgery upon arriving, has all hit home really hard.  What if I had not insisted on them checking my blood? I was having fevers of 104*F and such violent chills that I almost dropped Ellie once and couldn’t stop shaking.  I thought I was having seizures.  Yet the doctors never thought to check my blood and were still telling me it wasn’t abscesses and I just needed another round of antibiotics. At what point would they have figured out that sepsis had begun?  I could have died. What if this was Anna or Ellie?  Honestly this is all I can think about.  A car is a necessity.

We are so thankful to be serving God as missionaries here in Kenya and we know that ultimately He is our provider as well as healer.  We love living here, ministering to the Kenyan people and being part of what God is doing in this country to mobilize His church for missions.

As we continue our ministry and calling to serve here, in order to be fully effective, we need a car. And of course serving in a country with a history of instability requires we have the ability to leave if necessary with very little notice.

Thank you to everyone who makes it possible for us to be here serving.  Please join us in praying that God would provide the rest of the funds needed to purchase a car.  We have raised 40% of what we need so far.  If you would like to give toward this need the GoFundMe account my sister set up is still active Click Here. Or if you would like to join our monthly support team, please clickhere.  Or visit: https://bethanyinternational.givingfire.com/. 

Thank you again for all your love, prayers, encouragement and gifts. 

Sincerely,

The Lwoyelo family